NO LIGHTS

[Tim/Iowa]

I just got back from fishing down south and I'm a early riser and I am bafflied by the number of fishermen that do not not use their lights when it's dark. I saw guys driving 50 mph and guys sitting in the middle of the lake and not one light on. We're talking $30,000 plus boats driving around with NO lights. Can someone explain to me why we do this when all we have to do is plug in two lights and go

[beach]

Like anything else these guys don't beleive it's a problem until they get crushed by someone else. Then somehow it will be tne other guy's fault. It's great to see that there are guy's like yourself that are still safety minded. Keep it up. Happy walleyein'

[Fin Addict]

Top ten list for no lights.

10. Hate those bugs.
9. Don't want to wear down the battery.
8. Don't let other fisherman see their hot spot.
7. Lights not working.
6. Can see the rest of the lake better w/o
light in eyes.
5. Love those tickets.
4. Bad things always happen to the other guy.
3. Wanted a new boat anyway.
2. Wanna kill all those guys that drive fast @
night.
1. Wanna die!

Seriously, I do a lot of night fishing and I am amazed at this too. I see a lot of guys out there going fast at night w/o using their spotlights and even more fishing w/o lights. Deadly combination!

[Frenzy]

This is probably a dumb question but here goes, do you guys that fish at night alot use a spotlight or some kind of headlight to see things like boats w/o their lights on etc.)or do you just hope everyone has their lights on? I don't fish at night much but when I do I feel like I'm taking a big risk if I'm not just putting around.

[REW]

If I had my druthers, I would never use lights at night. Once you get your night vision -- and if you use a dim red light -- you keep your night vision, and you can see nearly any where with faint moon light or star light.

Having said that -- I have picked up one of the new Perko lights -- that angle the white stern light out in a very narrow beam. No light shines down. This is a very nice light to have for night fishing, since it doesn't shine down to ruin your vision.

Although I always have my lights on when I drive, and my anchor light on when standing still -- I can certainly empthazise with those folks that don't. I don't agree that you should, but do understand why they do fish that way.

However, after, having several very very very close misses, with a boat after dark on the way back to the resort on a couple of ocassions -- I get very concerned about anyone that doesn't have their anchor lights on when - fishing.

A spot light -- really helps very little when driving your boat at night, because it just mostly blinds you. For a spot light to really be effective, it needs to be shining from the very front of the boat, and preferably from about 10 feet up -- which isn't happening. The spot light is fine for docking and checking for harbor entrances, but not for over the water navigation.

If you use an anchor light that is quite high -- at least 5-10 feet, it also helps to keep the bugs out of your eyes when fishing. Nothing worse than having an eye level light, where the bugs are flying in your face, when you are typing a hook.

take care

REW

[Steve (IA)]

A powerful hand held spotlight can and has been a lifesaver when a big cruiser is bearing down on you (whether or not you have your lights on)! Steve (IA)

[Jeremy]

I just got one of those 42inch perko style lights, read instructions(can you believe that) said coast guard regs(or whoever makes the marine laws) the white 360 degree light must be 39" higher than the bow red/green light and may no reflect of the boat or shine in the operators eyes. My old light was probably 24" shined in my eyes

[Frenzy]

Thanks REW! Was kindof hopeing for one of your patented perfect solutions but I guess there just isn't one in this case, oh well. I guess I'll just fish when there's a good sized moon out or stay close to the landing.